We recently sat down with Brian Wells, General Manager of the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Curio Collection to learn more about his history in hospitality alongside the history of Hotel Roanoke. Nestled in the Roanoke Valley of Virginia, the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, alongside it’s GM, have worked hard to deliver excellent service to guests and locals alike.
About Brian:
Brian has been in the hospitality business for 40+ years. He got his start during high school in a Culinary Arts program where he had the chance to work at a Hilton and learn the ropes. What keeps him in hospitality is community; the people who come to visit along with the staff who keep the hotel running. Hospitality offers him a satisfying mixture of reward and challenge. Challenges that he clearly embraces as he & his team were awarded Hilton’s Award of Excellence for 2025.
In response to winning this prestigious award, Brian claims “When you have a good culture, when you have clear goals, and the community engagement makes it really meaningful work for the staff; it’s just wonderful when you get to the end of the year, you’re a top performer”.
About Hotel Roanoke:
Hotel Roanoke itself offers a compelling backdrop for this discussion—blending historic charm with modern amenities, and serving as a key player in its local market. Known to many as the Grand Old Lady on the Hill, it’s been in existence since 1882, and was upgraded in both 1925, and in 1995 when the conference center was added. When visiting Roanoke, Star City of the South, guests are sure to also see the city’s historic ‘nightlight’; a 90ft tall steel and neon sign that has stood proudly on Milll Mountain for 75 years.
What makes this hotel unique to Brian is its historical connection to the railway and how much it has meant to the town throughout the years When he first started working for the hotel, he would hear a multitude of stories about family gatherings, weddings, conferences, and other special events that took place at Hotel Roanoke.
Alongside its importance to the locals, the hotel has also housed senators and presidents, as well as musical artists ranging from Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis, and Metallica.
The Future of The Grand Old Lady:
Hotel Roanoke was brought back to life after a closure from 1989-1995 with the help from its devoted community. The City of Roanoke, Virginia Tech University, corporations and private citizens alike donated time, money, and efforts toward the renovation and the addition of the conference room, allowing the Grand Old Lady to feel ‘new’ again.
Today, the hotel also features a spa, a health and wellness floor with 26 Pure rooms, and a bar that sources from local fresh farms and other Virginia based products, highlighting its civic pride. Brian and the staff are excited for the future and the goal of luxury status hospitality.
With its commitment to excellent service and its devotion to memorializing its rich history, the future of Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center is as bright as its local star.
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